Much-travelled Grayson named new Hartlepool boss

Simon Grayson has won promotion with Blackpool, Leeds, Huddersfield and Preston in his managerial career

Hartlepool United have appointed Simon Grayson as the National League club's new manager.

Grayson replaces Australian Anthony Limbrick, who was sacked on Thursday after four months in the role.

The 55-year-old's most recent job was with Lalitpur City in the Nepal Super League, where he won the title in April. He has managed seven clubs in England, including Leeds and Preston, as well as Bengaluru in the Indian Super League.

"The club has gone through some tough times recently but by working hard together as a staff and fanbase we can bring back the good times which this football club deserves," Grayson told the club's website.

Pools finished last season 11th, eight points outside the play-offs.

"I'm delighted that Simon has accepted the role," said Pools chairman Raj Singh.

"Simon is someone who has been on our radar for a while and he's been my preferred candidate in the past when we've looked for managers, but for one reason or the other it didn't come off."

After retiring from playing in 2006, Grayson has won promotion from League One to the Championship with Blackpool, Leeds, Huddersfield and Preston in his managerial career.

The decision to bring in Grayson to replace Limbrick as manager marks another twist in a chaotic period for Hartlepool.

Chairman Singh announced in March that he wanted to sell and would only continue to fund the club until the end of the season.

In an interview on the club website last weekend, Singh said he had put £215,000 into the club at the end of May to ensure that wages and other bills were paid.

He said that finances were in place to keep Pools going over the summer, adding that "two or three parties" were interested in taking over the club and an agent would be appointed to handle the sale.

'Does Singh want to sell club?'

Analysis, Rob Law, BBC Radio Tees

There's no doubt that Simon Grayson is a vastly experienced manager. With everything going on at the club, you could argue they need somebody just like him.

But he has never managed in the National League before - a division that is unforgiving.

One thing everybody would agree on is that he needs to hit the ground running.

All of this is with a potential takeover hanging in the background, which seems to have stalled in recent weeks.

Although current owner Raj Singh has said in a club interview recently that he was handing over the sale of the club to an agent.

However, recent changes at board level and this managerial change has led to some fans wondering whether he actually wants to sell the club.